Senate Resolution No. 1686

BY: Senator MANNION

HONORING Syracuse University Men's Basketball Head
Coach Jim Boeheim for his retirement, and his
outstanding actions in pursuit of athletic and
coaching excellence and in celebration of "Jim
Boeheim Day" at Syracuse University on February 24,
2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
notable citizens of our State, who have achieved extraordinary success
and incredible career milestones, and who have distinguished themselves
and their universities through their personal and professional
achievements; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend and honor Syracuse University Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim
Boeheim upon the occasion of his retirement and on the celebration of
"Jim Boeheim Day" at Syracuse University on February 24, 2024"; and

WHEREAS, Hall of Fame member Jim Boeheim enrolled as a student at
Syracuse University in 1962 and was a walk-on with the SU Men's
Basketball team; by his senior year, he was a team captain along with
the legendary Dave Bing, and the Orange earned the program's second-ever
NCAA Tournament berth; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Jim Boeheim turned toward a career in coaching and
was hired as a graduate assistant at Syracuse University under Roy
Danforth; he was soon promoted to a full-time assistant coach and helped
guide the Orange to its first-ever Final Four appearance in the 1975
NCAA Tournament; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Coach Jim Boeheim was named Head Coach of the
Syracuse University Men's Basketball Team, his alma mater; and

WHEREAS, During his notable tenure, Coach Jim Boeheim has led the
Orange to a total of 10 Big East regular season championships, 35 NCAA
Tournament appearances, 5 Big East tournament championships and coached
the Orange in the NCAA Final Four five times in 1987, 1996, 2003, 2013
and 2016; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, Coach Jim Boeheim led the Syracuse University
Men's Basketball Team to an impressive NCAA Championship win -- the
first in program history -- with a (81-78) defeat of the University of
Kansas in the final; and

WHEREAS, Coach Jim Boeheim has been honored with a number of Coach
of the Year awards, including those presented by the Associated Press,
the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and the United
States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA); he is also a four-time
BIG EAST Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, In the fall of 2000, Coach Jim Boeheim received Syracuse
University's Arents Award, the school's highest alumni honor, and then

in 2002, the University named the Carrier Dome court "Jim Boeheim
Court"; and

WHEREAS, Coach Jim Boeheim achieved the ultimate basketball tribute
in 2005 when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall
of Fame; he was then again honored in 2006 with the John R. Wooden
"Legends of Coaching" Award; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Coach Jim Boeheim served as an assistant coach
for the U.S. Olympic teams that won gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016,
and the World Cup in 2010 and 2014; and

WHEREAS, A champion devoted to many charitable causes, Coach Jim
Boeheim and his wife, Juli, started the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation;
they have also helped raise money and awareness for various other
missions, such as Coaches vs. Cancer, Crouse Hospital's Kienzle Family
Maternity Center, the Children's Miracle Network, the Eldercare
Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Pioneer Center for the Blind
and Disabled, Special Olympics, and the Rescue Mission, among many
others; and

WHEREAS, In recognition for this charitable work, Coach Boeheim was
honored in 2006 with the Spirit of Jimmy V Award by the V Foundation and
in 2016 with the American Cancer Society Circle of Honor Award; and

WHEREAS, Coach Boeheim finished his 47-year Hall of Fame career as
only the second Division I coach to surpass 1,000 career victories; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Syracuse Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim for his
retirement, and his outstanding actions in pursuit of athletic and
coaching excellence, and on the celebration of "Jim Boeheim Day" at
Syracuse University on February 24, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Coach Jim Boeheim.